IP pipeline still facing US resistance

According to reports, a top US official has advised caution on the long planned gas pipeline between Iran and Pakistan, saying that some American sanctions against Iran are still in place.

The US Department of Energy’s assistant secretary for international affairs told a news conference in Islamabad on Monday that some American sanctions were still in place. “Pakistan will be entering gas agreement with major international gas suppliers very soon. The case of IP gas pipeline project is still to be judged,” Jonathan Elkind said.

“Indeed there has been a great deal of progress between Iran and the international community, including the United States, on most sensitive issues,” he said. “We have been pleased to launch initial implementation of joint comprehensive action and move successfully towards implementation day, a moment which prescribes a list of international sanctions.”

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources has decided to schedule a high level delegation visit to Iran to discuss the IP project.

The total cost of the project is estimated at Rs 2.5 billion with 85% of the funding to come from the government of China.